FINDING COMMON GROUND DANCE WORKSHOP SERIES
Exploring the Roots of Flamenco Dance
Join us for a unique, interactive dance series that bridges cultures through movement! Open to both the general public and the dance community, this workshop series invites you to explore flamenco alongside other dance styles from around the world.
As part of our Seville’s Spring Fair in Halifax 2025 , each week, we’ll pair flamenco with another dance form—Merengue, Indian Classical Dance (Odissi), and Contemporary Dance—to discover their connections. Engage with dancers from diverse backgrounds, participate in movement sessions, and join a final discussion on the common ground we find through dance.
🌍 No experience necessary—just a love for dance and curiosity to explore!
Flamenco Meets Contemporary Dance
Flamenco & Contemporary Dance (Maria Osende & Meredith Kalaman)
📍 DanceSpace @ World Trade Office Tower, 3rd Floor, 1800 Argyle Street, Halifax
About the Instructors
Maria Osende (Flamenco)
Award-winning dancer, Maria Osende was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. Osende started dancing as a child, becoming a professional Ballet Dancer in her late teens, first joining the Compañia Nacional de Danza in Madrid, followed by the Berlin Ballet in Germany. Osende also studied flamenco at the world renowned Centro de Arte Flamenco Amor de Dios. After a decade of dancing professionally in two major ballet companies, Osende chose to focus on flamenco. She is the motor behind Halifax’s Flamenco scene and the Artistic Director of Atlantic Flamenco, the organization behind this event.
Maria shares her wealth of experience and passion with adults seeking to explore ballet and flamenco. From beginners taking their initial steps to seasoned dancers seeking new horizons, Maria’s guidance nurtures growth, fosters passion, and cultivates a profound sense of community.
Meredith Kalaman (Contemporary Dance)
Meredith is a two time Chrystal Dance Prize recipient, dance educator and enjoys both dancing in other artists work and creating her own. She has created pieces about; giraffes, girl guiding, exploring constellations, superheroes, female identity and the impacts of gender socialization.
Along with her own creative projects Meredith is interested in shifting the context of how ballet relates to our 21st century bodies and inviting bodies to be in dynamic movement through education, sharing of knowledge and community engaged practices.
Workshop Details
🔹 First Hour – Welcome, introductions, and guided participation in both dance styles.
🔹 Second Hour – A collaborative exploration—let’s co-create a short choreography!
🔹 Closing Discussion – Reflect on the connections between dance styles and cultures.
🎟️ Registration required. Free.
💡 No prior experience needed. Some movement experience is helpful but not necessary.
Why This Workshop?
Flamenco’s roots trace back to the Roma people of Rajasthan, India, who brought their traditions to Europe. Over time, influences from Latin America and Spain shaped flamenco into the art form we know today. By exploring flamenco alongside other styles, we celebrate dance as a universal language that transcends borders.
Flamenco Meets Indian Dance
Past Workshops
Flamenco Meets Latin Dance
Event Produced by Atlantic Flamenco. Atlantic Flamenco recognizes the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Craig Foundation, for making this event possible, as well as our volunteers and generous donors.
